The construction contract for the main building of the RO147.8 million ($383 million) Oman Cultural Complex has been awarded to a consortium of two leading Omani and Turkish construction majors.

The complex will come up over a 400,000-sq-m area in the Madinat Al Irfan district of Muscat and will be completed in about three years, reported Oman News Agency.

Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, signed the agreement with the consortium for the landmark project.  The consortium includes Oman’s Saif Al Harasi and Turkey’s Sembol Construction.

Oman Cultural Complex constitutes a modern landmark symbolising the country’s civilisation, culture, scholarly accomplishments and institutional entity.

The new cultural district brings together three major buildings around a wide, central square – the Oman National Theatre, which boasts a 1,000-seat auditorium and a 250-seat flexible auditorium; the 20,000-sq-m five-storey National Library and the National Archives, including nearly 20 km of archival shelf-displays. The complex also features an exhibition centre, a cultural centre and a cinema, the report added.

The Muscat Cultural Centre pays tribute to local architectural traditions. The building embodies an ambitious project, where past and present harmoniously complement one another.

With reference to Omani architecture, a mashrabiyah canopy covers all the buildings. While filtering sunbeams, this canopy creates plays of light and shadow that echo the reflections and sparkles of the water features.

As a major cultural destination, the complex will also include facilities for art galleries, lecture halls for literary events and display areas. Thousands of date palms and indigenous trees, grown all around the complex, will add a verdant element to the setting.

Saif Al Harasi expressed its delight in contributing to this visionary project, viewing it as a true testament to its shared commitment to excellence and innovation. “The strategic partnership with Sembol Construction significantly enhances our capabilities, ensuring the delivery of a cultural masterpiece that authentically represents Oman’s unique identity and promising future,” it said.

Expected to be completed in early 2027, the new Oman Cultural Complex will complement Muscat’s growing list of modern architectural marvels, such as the Royal Opera House Muscat, Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the National Museum and the Majlis Building.